RD Bennett Scholarship

The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, Inc., the association of South Carolina’s independent, not-for-profit electric cooperatives, shall award one $5,000 college scholarship to a S.C. student participating in the Washington Youth Tour or Cooperative Youth Summit who best exemplifies the cooperative principle of “concern for the community.” Just as cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities while focusing on their members’ needs, this scholarship opportunity gives students the chance to better their own local communities by completing a community service project.

The scholarship is named for Robert D. Bennett, the first general manager and executive vice president of The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, Inc. Mr. Bennett, who led the state association from 1950 until his retirement in 1980, strongly believed that electric cooperatives should support their local communities—providing a better quality of life for their members. His spirit of community service is reflected in this scholarship opportunity.

All students who have been chosen by their local S.C. electric cooperative to participate in the Youth Tour or Cooperative Youth Summit will be eligible to apply.